Butterflies

Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com
Fri, 06 Oct 2006 05:38:32 PDT
Warning: some may regard the following as slightly obscene; stop now if you
are easily offended. 


Jamie wrote " Of course, most of us have 
heard of the moth with the 12" proboscis that Darwin predicted must exist in
order to take advantage of the nectar found in the 12" tube of Angraecum
sesquipedale (Orchidaceae)."

Talk about being able to think on your feet! The following story recalls one
of the snappiest bits of repartee I've ever witnessed. To understand the
punch line, you have to know that the Blade is the Washington, D.C. area gay
newspaper; it has traditionally included copious advertisements for "adult
services". 


Many years ago a friend of mine here in the Washington, D.C. area grew and
flowered this plant. We all regarded it as quite an event. The invitations
went out for everyone to come over and see it. The night arrived, and we all
stood around admiring this marvel. 

Our host, beaming with pride, recounted the story (which everyone present
nevertheless already knew by heart) of its discovery and of Darwin's famous
prediction. After telling the story, our host paused for a moment, and then
commented : "I don't know where in the Washington, D.C. area we could find a
moth with a twelve inch proboscis".

At that point, one of the group, who had been utterly quiet all evening,
without missing a beat blurted out "Put an ad in the Blade". 

Jim McKenney
Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7, where we're having Pacific
Northwest weather now - i.e. rain, chill and gloom. 






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